Author and ribbon designer Ellie Schneider of Offray Ribbons explains how to make a hair bow using ribbon, a hair clip and glue. Materials:
Hair barrette or comb
Two different colors of satin ribbon
Glue
Straight pins
- Cut the bottom layer of ribbon for the hair bow 16" long. Mark the center point (figure A). Mark 1/2" from each end of the ribbon.
- Bring each end toward the center, and match the 1/2" marks to the center mark, overlapping it (figure B). Pin in place.
- Cut the second layer of a contrasting-color ribbon 14" long. Mark the center point. Mark 1/2" from each end of the ribbon. Bring each end toward the center, and match the 1/2" marks to the center mark, overlapping it. Pin in place.
- Place the second layer on top of the first layer, with centers together, and hand-stitch in place from one long edge to the other (figure C).
- Pull the thread, gathering the center. Wrap the thread around the center of the loops (figure D).
- Make a third layer with a 12" length of ribbon the same color as the first layer. Mark the center point. Mark 1/2" from each end of the ribbon. Bring each end toward the center, and match the 1/2" marks to the center mark, overlapping it. Pin in place. Hand-stitch the center.
- Place the third layer on top of the other two layers. Fold a 2" piece of contrasting ribbon in thirds lengthwise, wrap it around the center of the bow and hot-glue or hand-stitch it in place (figure E).
- Hot-glue the bow to a barrette clip, or stitch in place, if desired (figure F).
Variation Rather than place the loops on top of each other, place them on a diagonal, with centers matching (figure G). Gather the loops together at the center, and stitch in place. Hot-glue to a barrette clip or the top of a plastic headband.
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